Search KidSpot

Ear infection prevention

While there's nothing you can do to guarantee that your child won't get an ear infection - some kids are just prone to them - there are a few things you can do to protect your kids from them:

Feeding your baby

Breastfeed your infant for at least 6 months if you can. Since breast milk contains antibodies that help fight off infections, your baby's immune system will benefit from the extra antibodies you pass to her.

If you bottle feed, be sure to hold your baby at an angle, with her head slightly raised, rather than flat, and don't let your baby go to sleep sucking a bottle.

Don't smoke around your child

Try not to expose your child to secondhand smoke, which has been shown to increase the frequency and severity of ear infections.

Avoid infection-pone situations

Limit your child's exposure to large groups of kids, thus restricting his exposure to the colds and viruses that are often a precursor to ear infections. (If your child is in daycare, you may want to look for a facility caring for fewer than six children.)

Teach basic hygiene

Teach your child to wash his hands frequently to cut down on the transmission of germs that can cause colds and viruses.

Vaccinate

Keep on top of your child's immunizations. Some vaccines prevent illnesses that can lead to ear infections.